As far as home hazards are concerned, we usually picture things we can see, smell, or hear: a flickering wire, the scent of a gas leak, the sound of a failing furnace… However, one of the most significant health risks to homeowners is completely invisible, odorless, and tasteless – radon. What is radon? And why should it be something to be wary of?
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers in the United States, claiming about 21,000 lives annually. Despite its danger, many people remain unaware of what it is or how it enters their homes. For radon testing near you, turn to Dakota Radon Pros. We’re your local experts.
What Is Radon?
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. It is produced by the natural breakdown (decay) of uranium in soil, rock, and water. Because uranium is found in varying amounts in the earth’s crust all over the world, radon is present almost everywhere.
In the open air, radon is generally not a concern because it dilutes to very low levels. However, when radon gas gets trapped inside a building, whether it’s a house, an office, or a school, it can accumulate to dangerous concentrations.
How Is Radon Dangerous to Human Health?
The danger of radon lies in its radioactivity.
- As radon gas decays, it releases tiny radioactive particles.
- When we breathe, these particles can get trapped in our lungs.
- Once inside the lungs, these particles continue to break down, releasing small bursts of energy known as alpha particles. These bursts can damage the DNA in lung tissue cells.
- Over time, this cellular damage can lead to mutations that cause lung cancer.
What makes it especially threatening is the fact that it’s virtually undetectable with basic human sense. It is odorless, colorless, and tasteless, meaning you could be breathing it in all day without any indication that your health is being threatened. And unlike carbon monoxide (another odorless, colorless gas), radon won’t give you any immediate physical symptoms, like illness or headaches. Rather, it works slowly, with undetectable long-term health detriments.
How Does Radon Enter a Home?
Many people mistakenly believe that radon only affects older homes or homes with basements. In reality, any home can have a radon problem. And just because your neighbor’s radon levels are low, doesn’t mean yours can’t be high.
Radon moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Common entry points include:
- Cracks in solid floors.
- Construction joints.
- Gaps in suspended floors.
- Gaps around service pipes.
- Cavities inside walls.
- The water supply (though this is less common than soil gas).
Essentially, your home acts like a vacuum, sucking radon in from the soil because the air pressure inside a house is usually lower than the pressure in the soil around the foundation.
How Do I Know if My Home Has High Radon Levels?
Because you cannot see, smell, or taste radon, testing is the only way to know if you and your family are at risk. The EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing all homes below the third floor. If you are buying or selling a home, a radon test is often a standard part of the inspection process, but you shouldn’t wait until a real estate transaction to check your safety. There are two common approaches to radon testing:
- Short-Term Tests: These stay in your home for 2 to 90 days. They are great for quick snapshots, especially during real estate deals.
- Long-Term Tests: These stay in your home for more than 90 days. Because radon levels can fluctuate seasonally or even daily based on weather patterns, long-term tests provide a more accurate picture of your year-round average exposure.
Looking for radon mitigation near you? Our experts can help, with a plan personalized to your specific needs.
What Is a “Safe” Level of Radon?
Technically, there is no “safe” level of radon; any exposure carries some risk. However, the EPA has established an action level of 4.0 picocuries per liter (pCi/L).
- If your level is 4.0 pCi/L or higher: You should take immediate steps to fix your home.
- If your level is between 2.0 and 4.0 pCi/L: The EPA suggests considering mitigation, as levels in this range still pose a significant long-term health risk.
For context, the average indoor radon level is estimated to be about 1.3 pCi/L, while the average outdoor level is roughly 0.4 pCi/L.
We’re aberdeen’s Local Radon Specialists
Radon is a serious health risk, but it is one that is entirely manageable. By taking the simple step of testing your home, you can protect your family from a preventable cause of lung cancer. Whether you are a long-time homeowner or looking to buy a new property, make radon testing a priority. It is a small price to pay for peace of mind.